Source: Kevin Ollie mulling UConn contract offer amid NBA interest

In this March 28, 2014 file photo, Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie shouts instructions during the first half in a regional semifinal against Iowa State in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in New York. Ollie is listening to job offers, but isn't looking to leave Connecticut. The 41-year-old coach, who spent 13 years as an NBA journeyman before returning to his alma mater, has been linked to several NBA job openings. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

CHICAGO >> Kevin Ollie might take an NBA head-coaching position, but it might not be with the Lakers.

An undisclosed NBA team not named the Lakers reached out to Ollie about interviewing for its vacant head coaching position, leaving the UConn coach mulling over the team’s latest extension offer, according to a league source familiar with the situation.

“A team has come at him hard. It’s going to be interesting,” the source said. “He’s always preferred UConn. But he may have a decision to make.”

Ollie’s current contract runs through the 2017-18 season, but both Ollie and the Huskies are mindful of his increased market value stemming from UConn’s recent NCAA championship and heightened NBA interest. Ollie’s contract offer is believed to be about double the $1.25 million he made this past season.

The Lakers have not formally reached out to any candidates, including Ollie, because they want to see what position they receive in the NBA draft lottery on May 20 before narrowing down their choices. Ollie has been interested in listening to any Lakers pitch after growing up in Los Angeles as a Crenshaw standout. But a source familiar with Ollie’s thinking expects him to make a decision “soon” on his coaching future.

Feeling the love

Kentucky forward Julius Randle may have inadvertantly created a new Twitter hashtag: I want to play with Kobe.

“It would be extremely fun,” said Randle, who will interview with the Lakers on Friday. “There’s a lot I could learn from and pick his brain just on how to get better and dealing with adversity.”

The Lakers are one of several teams that will speak with Randle, who is expected to be a top prospect after posting a nation-leading 24 double-doubles with the Wildcats. He reported talking with Utah, Orlando, Cleveland and Minnesota on Thursday, and plans to meet with Sacramento, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Boston today.

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Randle expressed confidence the Lakers can rebuild quickly. They could use Randle’s services as a dependable rebounder and rim protector.

“I can fit in well,” Randle said. “I can bring a lot to the table on both ends of the floor.”

Mutual interest

The Lakers may have a Hall of Fame point guard, but they still need an upgrade.

Though they plan to keep Steve Nash for the final year of his $9.8 million contract, the Lakers plan to bolster that position amid uncertainty surrounding Nash’s back injury that kept the 40-year-old out last season for all but 15 games.

The Lakers took that first step on Thursday by interviewing Marcus Smart, who starred as Oklahoma State’s point guard for the past two seasons. “It would be a good fit,” said Smart, who expects to have an individual workout with the Lakers. “They’re looking for a point guard and somebody that can come in and take control That’s the type of person I am. I’m a leader.”

Smart also marvels at Nash, who is in fourth place on the NBA’s all-time assists list (10,335).

“Steve Nash is one of the premier point guards to play the game,” Smart said. “He still has some left in the tank. That’s incredible for him to be doing that at his age. He’s very crafty and he keeps defenders on his toes. You never know what he’s going to do.”

Injury update

Pau Gasol reported improvement in his health after missing 12 of the Lakers’ last 13 games because of vertigo.

“I feel great. My vertigo problems are finally over,” Gasol wrote Thursday on his personal Web site. “I’m not physically frustrated or mentally tired. I can’t remember the last vacation when I was feeling this good.”

Gasol plans to ramp up to complete workouts by June. Though Gasol will spend part of his summer in July weighing his free agency options, he also prepare for the 2014 World Cup of Basketball, which takes place Aug. 30 to Sept. 14 in Spain.